Pole for hanging or taking down pictures, shades, &amp;c.



PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904.

\ P. :B. PAGE.

POLE FOR HANGIING 0R TAKING DOWN PICTURES, SHADES, 6w.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1903.

0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented August 16, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL E. PAGE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,496, dated August 16, 1904.

Application filed September 26, 1903. Serial No. 174,716. (No model) To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, PAUL E. PAGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reaching-Poles for use in Hanging or Taking Down Pictures, Shades, Curtains, and the Like, of which the following is a specification containing a full, clear, and exact d escription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to improvements in reaching-poles for use in hanging and taking down pictures, shades, curtains, and the like; and it consists of the novel construction, combination,- and arrangement of parts hereinafter shown, described, and claimed.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved device of the character named in the preceding paragraph and which shall also be especially adapted for cleaning windows, walls, and ceilings, and for reaching objects at comparatively high elevations and also for draping curtains, &:c.

A further object of my invention is to;provide an improved device which shall do away with the use of the step-ladder in accomplishing the work above described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved reaching-pole. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the parts at the upper end of the pole, the section being taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

1 indicates the pole, which should be tubular in form, and in the present instance I have constructed it with a groove 2, which extends from the upper end to a point near the lower end, and this groove is covered, except at the locality of the push-handles, by means of a cover 3, which is preferably of sheet metal secured in position by means of small tacks or screws 4.

Extending completely through the pole is a rod 5, and this rod normally projects several inches at the lower end of the pole and is provided thereat with an enlargement 6, preferably in the form of a rubber ball. Projecting from said rod 5 near the upper and lower ends through slots 7 in the cover 3 are pushhandles 8 9, which are curved to fit the curvature of the operators finger. 'Said push-handles are adjustably secured upon said rod in the manner shown in Fig. 4: by means of a screw 10, threadedthrough the base of said handles and engaging said rod. Said base is of course inthe form of a ring and encircles said rod. However, it will not be necessary to make the lower end of the rod like that shown in Fig. 4:, as such construction is adapted only to the upper portion of the rod for reasons hereinafter given. The upper end of the rod projects a distance beyond the upper end of said pole and is bent at a right angle and carries a cross-bar 11. Fixed upon the upper end of the pole is a cast-metal head, which has a socket 12 to fit the end of the pole and has also an integral lateral platform 13, which is cut away at 14 for the purpose hereinafter mentioned and is also provided with oppositely-projecting points 15, at the base of which is a recess 16. The cross-bar 11 normally rests upon said platform and is kept in forcible conta'ct therewith by means of one or more springs 17, which are coiled about said rod and have their upper ends in contact with fixed abutments 18, which are secured in the said groove 2. The lower ends of said springs rest in contact with the push-handles.

In some cases I have found it necessary to lengthen the said rod in order to elevate the cross-bar 11 a considerable distance above the platform 13 when it is desired to clamp thick articles, such as shoe-boxes, between the said cross-bar and said platform. In order to adjust the length of said rod, I have in the present instance made the same in two sections, the upper section of which is telescoped within the lower section, which latter is tubular at its upper end, and the two sections are clamped together by means of the set-screw 10, passing through an aperture in the tubular section, as well as the push-handle 8, and engaging the adjustable section of the rod. The head at the upper end of the pole is also provided with a downwardly-curved prong or hook 19.

Mounted upon the upper portion of the pole and projecting in a direction opposite" to that of said push-handle 9 is a curved finger-rest 20. There is also a finger-rest adjacent the lower push-handle 9.

The lower portion of the rod 5 is curved at 21, so as to cause it to occupy a central passage 22, made in the lower portion of the pole.

23 indicates a wire bail which is pivotally secured at its inner end to the head at apoint in the rear of and just below the platform 13, and said bail has its two side arms bent upwardly at 24, so that said side arms may pass over and rest upon said platform. Said side arms are sufficiently long to project a considerable distance beyond the front edge of said platform, and the front ends of said arms are connected by a cross-bar 25, the front edge of which is sharpened.

' 26 indicates a hook which is pivoted to th pole at 27 and is adapted to engage beneath.

the lower push-handle 9, and thereby retain the said handle and the rod 5 and all parts carried thereby in an elevated position whenever required.

The operation is as follows: WVhen it is desired to use the pole for the purpose of hang' ing pictures, the bail 23 is thrown rearwardly and downwardly until it occupies its normal position, which is that shownin Fig. 1, and then the picture wire or cord is passed above the platform 13 in engagement with the recess 16, and then the picture is suspended from said platform and may be elevated to its position upon the wall, and its wire may be caused to engage the picture-hook and thereby be suspended from the latter. During such operationthe picture-hook is located in the cut-away 14: of the platform, thereby permitting the front edge of the platform to closely approach the wall. In taking down pictures said operation is reversed.

The hook 19 may be used for various purposes, such as lowering window-sash.

In using my pole as a duster a cloth is clamped between the platform 13 and the crossbar 11, when the pole may be used as an ordi nary dusting-pole for carrying out cobwebs near the ceiling. In elevating the cross-bar 11 in opposition to the power of the springs 17 the operator may rest the rubber ball 6 upon the floor and press downwardly upon the pole, and this will elevate said cross-bar a considerable distance above theplatform 13, when the cloth or other article may be placed beneath said cross-bar and will be clamped there when pressure upon the pole is removed, or the operator may grasp either of the push-handles 8 9 with the thumb and also grasp the finger-rest 20 with the forefinger and in that way compress the springs 17 and elevate the rod 5 and parts carried thereby. v WVhen it is desired to use the device in reaching articles at high elevations to remove and lower the same, the bail 23 is ordinarily not used; but the front edge of the platform 13 is inserted beneath the article While the crossbar 11 is elevated, and then said cross-bar is brought down upon the article.

In order to withdraw articles from high shelves-as, for instance, in the case of shoeboxes-Imake use of the bail 23, and in using the same it is thrown forwardly until it projects above and over the platform 13, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, when the sharpened edge of the bar 25 may readily be inserted beneath the articles to be withdrawn from the shelf.

The lower end of the pole is tapered, so that it may be inserted in the handle-opening of an ordinary rubber window -cleaner or brush of any kind, when the pole may be used as an ordinary brush-handle.

There are many other uses to which my device may be put, but which need not be specifically described, as they are apparent.

The rubber ball 6 at the lower end of the.

pole may not only rest upon the floor, but may also rest in the hand of the operator and be pushed upon in elevating the cross-bar 11 in making a long reach. The pole may be of any suitable length; but I preferably make it from six to eight feet long.

It willthus be seen that I have provided a double-ended pole capable of being reversed whenever desired.

I do not limit myself to the exact construction herein shown and described, as it is obvious that in the manufacture of my deviceI may make such changes as may occur to the mind of a skilled mechanic without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

The groove 2 may or may not be covered with sheet metal or other material, as the cheaper poles need not have any cover for the groove.

Although I have shown two springs 17, yet but a single spring will accomplish the desired result, and it is obvious that one of the springs may be omitted.

The hook 19 is especially intended for use in draping curtains, portieres, and the like, rather more than for lowering window-sash, which I previously gave as the function of said hook 19.

I further neglected to mention that my device is specially adapted for use in connection with an ordinary feather duster in dusting objects at high elevation, all that is necessary being to clamp the handle of the duster between the platform 13 and cross-bar 11.

In taking down boxes from shelves the knife-edged bail is first inserted beneath the box and then the cross-bar 11 is brought down on top of the box by releasing the push-handles, and the box will then be grasped between said bail and said cross-bar.

My device may also be used in paper-hanging and will efl'ectually avoid the useof a stepladder or scaffolding by clamping the various articles and tools between the platform 13 and the cross-bar 11.

What I claim is- 1. The improved reaching-pole, comprising a pole, a rod extending parallel therewith, a handle applied to said rod, a head on one end of said pole having a lateral platform, a cross-bar on the end of said rod and projecting above said platform, and a hook projecting from said head in a direction opposite that of said platform, substantially as specified.

2. The improved reaching-pole, comprising a pole, a rod extending parallel therewith, a handle applied to said rod near each end of the pole, a head on one end of said pole having a lateral platform, a cross-bar on the end of said rod and projecting above said platform, a spring for retaining said rod in normal position, and a finger-rest adjacent each of said handles, substantially as specified.

3. The improved reaching-pole, comprising a pole, a rod extending parallel therewith, a handle applied to said rod, a head on one end of said pole having a lateral platform, a cross-bar on the end of said rod and projecting above said platform; said rod projecting a distance beyond the opposite end of said pole, and an enlargement applied to said projecting end, substantially as specified.

4. The improved reaching-pole, comprising a pole, a rod extending parallel therewith, a

5. The improved reaching-pole, comprising a pole, a rod extending parallel therewith, a handle applied to said rod, a head on one end of said pole having a lateral platform, a cross-bar on the end of said rod and projecting above said platform; said platform having oppositely-projecting points, and a cutaway portion intermediate of said points, substantially as specified.

6. The improved reaching-pole, comprising a pole, a rod extending parallel therewith, a handle applied to said rod, a head on one end of said pole having a lateral platform, and a cross-bar onthe end of said rod and projecting above said platform; said rod being adjustable in length, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification inpresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

PAUL E. PAGE. Witnesses:

H. W. FRIEDEWALD, JOHN C. HIGDON. 

